Putin criticized law enforcers for their actions during last week clashes in a Moscow market

July 31, 2013, 21:21 UTC+3Russian President convened a special meeting on crime at major sales outlets

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Photo ITAR-TASS/Alexei Nikolsky

NOVO-OGARYOVO, July 31 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized the work of law enforcers, including the internal security service of the Russian Interior Ministry, during last Saturday’s incident at the Matveyevsky market in the west of Moscow.

“The current efforts are clearly insufficient: they either do nothing or are too slow to act which is unacceptable,” the Russian head of state said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a special meeting on crime at major sales outlets.

Matveevskiy market incident

Last Saturday Matveevskiy market became site of a clash between civilians and police officers: about two dozen natives of Russia’s southern regions tried to prevent the authorities from apprehending their compatriot, suspected of raping a 15-year-old girl. As a result of the scuffle, one police officer received a serious head injury and had to be rushed to intensive care. Video of the policeman taking a beating has been already uploaded online.

Investigators opened a criminal case an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer over this attack. The police have detained a man and a woman, who are suspected of attacking policemen. Russia’s Investigative Committee has announced that they are planning on requesting a warrant for their arrest.

Head of the district police department, responsible for the area where the market is located, has been dismissed. A number of police officials are now targets of an internal inspection, results of which will be made public.

Meanwhile, the rape suspect has been successfully detained and charged; the victim has identified the assailant. According to police spokesperson, the suspect has also confessed.